Rolling out new Ram pickups

New engine for new rig

Here's a look at the new 2014 Ram light-duty 1500 series pickup. This line will include the industry's only diesel power plant in this range. The new 3-liter EcoDiesel engine gets mated to a TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission. This is a feature-filled truck.
Other engine choices include a 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 and 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 gasoline engines which were already available in this class. It's that 3-liter diesel that's new. The eight-speed transmission will be standard equipment for the new diesel and for the smaller V-6 engine. This should boost fuel economy for both engines. The larger HEMI gets the standard six-speed transmission. There is an optional eight-speed transmission for that larger-engine vehicle too.
The truck will also offer park assist - a first for a full-size Ram pickup.

Compact super engine

The new 3-liter EcoDiesel engine in the 2014 Ram 1500 pickup is also being offered in the Jeep Grand Cherokee and it's a tech-filled machine. It is a 24-valve engine with a 60-degree cylinder bank angle and 1-2-3-4-5-6 firing order to manage inertia and firing loads, according to Chrysler. The turbo-diesel will be mated to an eight-speed transmission and should offer a new level of fuel economy in this trim. The engine generates 240-hp at 3,600 rpm and makes 420 lb.-ft. of torque at 2,000 rpm. That's V-8 level torque without V-8 level fuel use.
The company has already hit an industry-leading 25 mpg for its light-duty pickups with the V-6 engine, it'll be interesting to see final fuel economy numbers on the diesel (they're not available yet). The engine is made by VM Motori, a Chrysler Group diesel engine supplier since 1992.
And Ram is serious about durability, the engine has a 16.5:1 compression ratio with a cylinder block made of compacted graphite iron. The cylinder head is aluminum that's heat treated and has bearing caps to reduce friction. And there's a forged steel crankshaft and connecting rods. They're mated to aluminum alloy pistons.

Environmentally compliant

The new 3-liter EcoDiesel for the Ram 1500 achieves 50-state emissions compliance thanks to cooled exhaust gas recirculation controlled by electric valves instead of pneumatic valves. That's combined with selective catalytic reduction to also reduce emissions. Chrysler says the system incorporates a unique diesel exhaust fluid system that alerts the driver to low DEF levels while also allowing the engine to maintain full power.
You'll also find an insulated DEF tank with heated lines for cold weather operation; passive cooling for the DEF injector; exhaust system refinements to improve utilization of DEF for NOx reduction; and an exhaust system strategy that reduces soot output.

Look Ma' no cap!

The cap-less fuel fill on the new RAM 1500 is for your convenience, and the DEF tank is refillable from the same position. The DEF tank holds eight gallons of fluid. Duty cycles - as always - will determine refills, but Chrysler says the average interval for DEF refills is every 10,000 miles. DEF is more readily available these days, and you can get it from your Ram dealer.
The truck also features a 10,000-mile oil change interval. Famers should also note the new engine is also cleared for use of B20.

An insider's view

You'll find a familiar cockpit in the 2014 Ram 1500 series, which has been recognized by our sister publication Ward's as one of the 10 Best Interiors. The truck is available in 12 different colors including two new shades - Blue Streak and Granite Crystal. And depending on the model you can choose from monotone or two-tone paint schemes.
You'll also have a five-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty covering the costs of all parts and labor needed to repair a covered powertrain component. The basic bumper-to-bumper warranty is three-years/36,000 miles.
The company even uses a road-test simulator to put the truck through its paces. That RTS can put a lifetime of wear and tear on a truck in about a month.

A big rig gets new engine

When you're talking a farm work truck you're in the heavy-duty class and the 2014 Ram Heavy Duty is offering new power. This rig features the all-new 6.4-liter HEMI V-8 engine with 410 hp and 429 lb.-ft. torque. Other engine choices include the 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 as standard equipment on the Ram 2500 and 3500 SRW. The transmission for each engine is a six-speed automatic design.
The third engine choice is the 6.7-liter Cummins High-Output turbodiesel I-6 which is available on the Ram 3500 and paired with an Aisin six-speed transmission. That diesel produces 385 hp and 850 lb.-ft. (this is not a typo) of torque at 1,600 rpm.

Meet the new boss

Ram is calling it the mightiest gasoline engine which offers 410 hp at 5,600 rpm and 429 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,000 rpm - creating a operating sweet spot for hauling heavy stuff. This engine - an option - features cooled exhaust gas recirculation and variable valve timing to reduce pumping losses. The HEMI architecture is the foundation of this engine - which features 90-degree V-8 design, but that advanced tech is part of the package.
To beat the heat, the new engine features a high-volume oil cooler, oil jets for piston cooling and aircraft grade stainless steel gaskets and fasteners. And the company used computational fluid dynamics to optimize the cooling circuit in the block, heads and water pump. This will be mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

The 2500 rear suspension

The 2014 Ram 2500 is taking lessons from its little brother the 1500 and now features an all new five-link coil rear suspension system for better ride and handling. And there's an optional air suspension system (not shown) too. The air bag would replace the coil spring but load capacity isn't sacrificed in the new system. The air suspension system will offer load-leveling capability which automatically detects load on the rear suspension from a trailer or payload.

The 3500 rear suspension

The Ram 3500 will feature the rear Hotchkiss leaf spring system but now offer the potential of supplemental air suspension on the SRW and DRW applications. By adding the air bags to the rear system, Ram engineers were able to soften the leaf springs, allowing for more unloaded suspension movement. The air suspension system (shown) automatically fills the rear air bags to level the truck and improve stability.

The view from inside

An office-like environment - shown here in Longhorn trim - is the way Ram envelopes the driver. And every model offers specific content. This wide-open feel offers users the space they need to get the job done. In addition, for 2014 the Ram 2500 will offer a range of new 18- and 20-inch wheels including forged aluminum, polished with painted white gold painted pockets and cast aluminum with silver inserts. You can even get a cargo view camera mounted in the center high-mounted stop light for a better view when pulling a fifth-wheel or gooseneck trailers, and for monitoring bed loads.
There are 12 different colors including the same two new colors as found in the 1500 - Blue Streak and Granite Crystal.

Big on flexibility?

The new 2014 Ram Chassis Cab lineup has three models - 3500, 4500 and 5500 with max trailer weights ranging up to 29,600 pounds. The Ram 4500 and 5500 are also now available with gasoline and diesel powertrains. And that all new 6.4-liter V-8 engine powers the line too. Ram 3500 Chassis Cab models have access to three different engine package choices - two are gas-powered options plus manual and automatic transmission-equipped diesel powertrains so you have a range of choices. If you're looking for a base rig for your shop truck where you can add tool boxes or a dump box the chassis cab line from Ram may fill the bill.

And for a little fun

And in mid-July Ram announced it was taken one of its most popular models to create the Ram Black Express - which it calls the "baddest-looking" factory-built trucks on the market. It has an all-black exterior, 20-inch black aluminum wheels and a black front fascia with fog lamps, black grille surround with black hex-link inserts, black rear bumper and black head badges on grill and tailgate. All body side badging has been removed. If you're in the mood to make a statement the Ram Express might be your best choice. It's available in Crew and Quad Cab designs and gets power from that 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 gasoline engine with 395 hp and 410 lb.-ft. of torque.

The folks at Chrysler have been hard at work in the past couple of years realigning products and retooling for the future. The Ram pickup group - don't call it Dodge - is working to keep building market share for its line of light- and heavy-duty pickups. In this gallery we'll break down information on the 2014 line-up. It's our first look at pickups for 2014 and we'll be featuring the new 2014 Chevrolet/GMC line and the new Fords soon.

As for Ram the big news is the industry's only light-duty pickup powered by a diesel engine. The company has developed a 3-liter EcoDiesel that's a $2,850 option to the base $24,200 light-duty pickup. Check out more details on that engine and other features in the images below.

On the heavy duty - or working truck side - the company will offer the largest displacement V-8 engine on the market. Base price for that machine is $29,600 plus destination charges. As for that engine - it's a 6.4-liter HEMI engine turning out 410 hp and 429 lb.-ft. of torque. Learn more from the images below.

And if you're looking for a chassis cab model, Ram meets your needs too with a full lineup from a 3500 with a GCWR up to 30,000 pounds, and max trailer weight to 22,750 lbs. up to a 5500 GCWR with up to 37,500 lbs. and max trailer weight up to 29,600 lbs. Learn more as you peruse the images in this gallery.

The new 2014 Ram 1500 will start showing up in showrooms in the fourth quarter.